🎭 New year, new ways

Good morning, Portage County. While the rest of the world counts down to midnight, Akron's getting creative with its New Year's celebrations. From the Spaghetti Warehouse's bizarrely brilliant '80s zombie murder mystery to the Children's Museum's "Make Believe Midnight" (because who said the countdown has to happen at midnight?), our corner of Ohio is proving there's more than one way to ring in 2024.

Meanwhile, Fairlawn's entering the new year with a bang - and by bang, we mean impressively responsible governance. The city just nabbed one of only 18 state auditor awards while keeping its budget tight enough to make your grandmother proud. And speaking of tight situations, Norton residents got an unwanted early morning wake-up call when a massive water main decided to turn Summit Road into an impromptu water park - though thankfully, this particular splash zone is already on the mend.

☕️ What's Brewing Locally

🏀 Basketball Schedule Slam (Girls)

Team	Opponent	Date/Time
Garfield G-Men
	@ South Range	12/28 @ 8:30pm
Rootstown Rovers
	@ Southeast	12/28 @ 5:30pm
	vs Marlington	12/30 @ 7:00pm
Southeast Pirates
	vs Rootstown	12/28 @ 5:30pm
	vs Manchester	12/30 @ 6:45pm
Windham Bombers
	@ McDonald	12/28 @ 11:00am

🏡 Real Estate Reveals

Cozy home with spacious garage

227 Myrtle St in Ravenna's Historic District is listed at $115,000 and offers a cozy 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath home that blends comfort with convenience. With a spacious eat-in kitchen, separate dining room, an oversized garage complete with a workshop, and recent updates like a new roof and furnace, this property is poised for your personal touch while being close to local amenities.

Cozy ranch with inviting living

930 Lloyd Ave is a charming ranch home listed at $149,900, featuring over 1,060 sq. ft. of comfortable living space that includes three cozy bedrooms and a full bathroom. This beautifully maintained residence boasts vaulted ceilings, a sunlit kitchen with granite countertops, an inviting living area, and additional outdoor space perfect for entertaining or quiet relaxation.

Custom home with modern layout

A custom home opportunity is available for $273,700, featuring the McAllister II design that reimagines main-floor living for modern families. This spacious layout seamlessly integrates a kitchen, great room, and breakfast nook for entertaining, while a separate dining room offers an elegant space for family gatherings and dinner parties.

🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla

💰 Financial Friday

Think about exploring the benefits of budgeting apps to keep track of your spending and savings; these tools can simplify your financial management and provide insights into your habits.

🙏 In Remembrance

Mariano Quiroz Pizarro Dr. Mariano Quiroz Pizarro, who passed away on December 11th, was born on January 4, 1933, in Pilar, Bataan, and was the last of nine siblings. He excelled in basketball during high school, earning a scholarship to the University of Santo Tomas, where he met his wife, Araceli. After completing his medical training in the U.S., he and Araceli established a successful family practice in Solon, OH, and he served as Chief of Staff at Community Hospital of Bedford. Mariano enjoyed sports, music, and family travels and is survived by his wife, three children, and eight grandchildren. A celebration of his life will take place on December 28th at Holy Angels Church in Chagrin Falls, OH.

🍞 Daily Bread Crumb

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

-Romans 12:12